Film Industries Demand Legal Safeguards Against Unauthorised Use of Creative Works by AI Models
Major film industry groups from both Hollywood and Bollywood are lobbying India's government to reinforce copyright protections amid mounting concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) systems are using movies, music, and promotional materials without consent. These groups recently made their case to a specially appointed government committee, which is examining whether India’s existing Copyright Act—dating back to 1957—is adequate for the challenges posed by rapidly advancing AI technologies[1].
The AI Threat to Entertainment: Concerns of Creators
India’s entertainment sector, estimated at $13.1 billion, fears significant financial consequences if AI models are allowed to train on copyrighted content without clear permissions or compensation for creators[1]. The current regulatory gap means there is little to stop AI developers from scraping vast libraries of films and music—raising alarms for both the creative and economic future of the industry.
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Industry groups argue this lack of regulation could undermine creative incentives and erode the control that artists and producers have over their own work[1].
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There are also growing worries about ChatGPT-like generative AI tools, which can create media that mimics authentic content or celebrity personas, further complicating copyright enforcement.
Legal Precedent and the Push for Tougher Copyright Laws
Bollywood actors such as Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have taken legal action against platforms like
YouTube, demanding the removal of AI-generated deepfake videos using their likenesses without consent[2][3]. Their lawsuits highlight the risks of both reputational damage and the unauthorized use of such content to potentially train future AI systems.
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The celebrities’ legal filings accuse YouTube of facilitating the spread of “sexually explicit” and misleading deepfakes and allowing those videos to serve as machine learning material for other AI technologies[2][3].
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They are calling for concrete policy changes to ensure such content is not available for AI model training, setting a potential precedent for digital rights and AI governance in India and globally[3].
A Booming AI Market Demands New Rules
With India’s AI sector expected to soar, striking a balance between fostering technological innovation and upholding intellectual property rights is increasingly critical[1]. As the government’s expert panel reviews existing laws, the outcome could have a profound impact on the future
